Genocide
'PM Hasina should get Nobel prize for hosting Rohingyas'
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should get the Nobel prize for her humanitarian and responsible policy in hosting the Rohingyas, the speakers said during a discussion Wednesday.
They were addressing the discussion "Rohingya's: Victims of Genocide and Looking for Answers" organised by the Entrepreneurship Economics Program of the Dhaka School of Economics.
The speakers also urged the international community to play a strong role in the repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh.
Munshi Faiz Ahmad, former ambassador of Bangladesh to China and former head of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies, said Rohingya repatriation should get utmost priority now.
Read more: Hasina breaks down in tears while talking about everyday ordeals of Rohingyas
"More international pressure must be applied on Myanmar to overcome the Rohingya crisis. Considering world peace, Rohingyas must be resettled in their country for long-term results," he added.
Faiz also highlighted the importance of the five-point proposal placed by Hasina at the 72nd United Nations General Assembly session to solve the Rohingya crisis.
Muhammad Mahboob Ali, professor of Dhaka School of Economics and Coordinator of the Entrepreneurship Economics Programme, said: "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should get the Nobel Peace Prize for the generosity she showed in sheltering the Rohingyas."
Read more: UN asked to resolve Rohingya crisis: PM
Also, as the chief guest of the programme, Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, chairman of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation, urged more people to get admitted to Masters of Entrepreneurship Economics or postgraduate diploma in Enterprise Development at the Dhaka School of Economics to get proper knowledge and skill.
Why hasn’t the UN recognised 1971 Bangladesh Genocide yet?
Seventy-five years after the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide came into force, one of its glaring failures has been not recognising the 1971 Bangladesh genocide and the 2017 genocide against the Rohingyas in Myanmar.
This not only saddens us in Bangladesh, it also upsets many who have followed large scale massacre of human beings in various parts of the post-colonial world.
Polish Jewish refugee lawyer Raphael Lemkin coined the word “genocide” in 1943 to describe the killing and destruction of people. The word is derived from the Greek “genos” (people, tribe or race) and the Latin “cide” (killing) against the backdrop of the Holocaust, that Winston Churchill said was a “crime without a name”. But Churchill’s double-standards remained the enduring feature of Western standpoint on how they look at a genocide or large scale engineered deaths.
Churchill, the British “hero” who guided the Allies to victory in World War II and who attacked Hitler and the Nazis over the Jewish Holocaust, has been held responsible for triggering the Bengal famine that led to 3 million deaths in what was then undivided Bengal, the largest province of British India.
Read more: 'Recognising the Bangladesh Genocide of 1971': ICSF welcomes US Congress initiative
Madhusree Mukerjee, whose “Churchill’s Secret War” created waves and rattled many a British colonial apologist, has gone on record to equate Hitler’s extermination of 10 million Jews with Churchill’s presiding over the death of three million Bengalis through a famine orchestrated by policies linked to the British war effort.
On December 9, 1948, the international community formally adopted a definition of genocide within the 1948 Convention – essentially enshrining the message of “never again” in international law.
Rachel Burns of the York University questions whether the convention has achieved what it set out to do and focused on three of its key areas of failure.
· First, the very application of the term “genocide” is applied too slowly and cautiously when atrocities happen.
· Second, the international community fails to act effectively against genocides.
· Third, too few perpetrators are actually convicted of their crimes.
Read more: Declare Pakistan army action in 1971 ‘Genocide’: US congressmen introduce resolution
Burns points to the many genocides that have occurred since the 1948 Convention and its ratification in 1951, and then points to the only three that have been legally recognised – and led to trials – under the convention: Rwanda in 1994, Bosnia (and the 1995 Srebrenica massacre), and Cambodia under the 1975-9 Pol Pot regime.
Burns refers to the widespread killing and displacement of Yazidi by IS and of Rohingyas in Myanmar which are ongoing and recognised by the UN as a whole, but are yet to be officially recognised as genocides by some individual states. Similarly, 13 years after atrocities took place in the Sudanese region of Darfur, criminal investigations continue but no official charges of genocide have been made under the convention.
Political scientist Adam Jones names the genocides committed under Saddam Hussein against the Kurds in 1988-91 in Iraq, and the genocide committed by West Pakistan forces against Bangladeshis in 1971.
“And the list of ‘genocides’ that might fall under the UN definition is frighteningly long. The International Criminal Court is investigating several states in which human rights violations and war crimes ‘may’ have occurred,” says Rachel Burns.
Read more: 1971 genocide: Need to work together to get recognition from UN, says DU VC
As a passionate and patriotic Bangladeshi, I would like to argue that the UN should prioritize recognising the 1971 East Pakistan genocide against Bengalis for three reasons:
· The number of people killed in then East Pakistan by Pakistani forces (regular army and collaborators) between March and December 1971 far exceeds the numbers of victims of the three genocides recognised by the UN. Nearly 3 million Bengalis of all faiths were massacred by the Pakistani forces. In comparison, 1.5 to 2 million deaths occurred at the hands of the murderous Khmer Rouge but these deaths were over a four year period between 1975 and 1979. Between 500000 to 650000 Tutsis were massacred by Hutus during the Rwandan civil war between April and August 1994. And the Balkan genocide casualty toll never crossed six digits.
· The genocide in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was not just limited to random killings but involved both targeted murders (of intellectuals to leave behind a brain deficit) and also largescale rapes (nearly 300,000) of Bengali women as well as arson.
· This genocide was carried out by the Pakistan army – and not by militias – which has since been designated by US and NATO as an “useful ally in the war against terror”.
Read More: Chitra erosion threatens mass grave of 1971 in Magura
A recognition of the 1971 East Pakistan genocide by the UN is not only important for the global body to regain its credibility and effectiveness but also to expose a military institution which is seen as of much strategic value in the West.
The West has been fooled, somewhat willfully, into believing that the Pakistan army is useful in fighting terror in Afghanistan. There is enough evidence now to suggest that the Pakistani generals were always running with the hare and hunting with the hounds. They were allowing US and NATO a springboard for anti-Taliban operations but were also allowing Taliban safe shelter, training and weapons in Pakistan, without which the Taliban would have never survived, let alone emerge victorious to take over the country.
The least the West, especially the US (which is very vocal about human rights violations in Bangladesh now), can do is to take the initiative to officially recognise the 1971 East Pakistan genocide. They should stop fooling their own citizens and taxpayers about the role of the Pakistani army in the war against terror. By recognising the 1971 genocide, they can hold the Pakistan army accountable for denying Bengalis the right to life during the Liberation War. Recognition of both 1971 East Pakistan genocide and the 2017 Rohingya genocide will help call out and expose two evil military institutions who threaten democracy and dignity of life in our part of the world. It is high time the West stops chasing phantoms and does its bit to punish mass murderers in our region. Otherwise, their sermons on human rights just ring hollow.
Read More: Brave Women Freedom Fighters of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War
Seventy-five years after the UN Convention, Nobel laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel’s “never again” for genocide remains “a prayer, a promise, a vow” but also a frequent reality. And their frequent recurrence owes much to how many genocides have gone unrecognised and unpunished.
Tarana Halim, an actress and lawyer, is a former Bangladeshi minister. She is now president of Bangabandhu Sanskritic Jote, a front for cultural movement against radicalism. She is also a member of Awami League central committee.
Despite its 1971 role, spokesperson says Jamaat ‘committed to democracy’ since formation
Despite its widely documented role as collaborating with the Pakistani occupation forces in committing genocide during the Liberation War in 1971, a spokesperson of Jamaat-e-Islami has claimed that the party, since its formation, is “committed to democracy’.
Abu Bakar Molla, EU and UK spokesperson of Jamaat, was speaking on a TRT World current affairs programme, “The Newsmakers”, on December 21, 2022.
Jamaat-e-Islami actively opposed the creation of Bangladesh and helped Pakistani forces carry out genocide and crimes against humanity during the nine months of the Liberation War.
Read more: PM Hasina wonders how leftists could join hands with BNP and Jamaat
In its verdict against Ghulam Azam, the Jamaat ameer in 1971, the International Crimes Tribunal noted that Jamaat-e-Islami – under Ghulam Azam’s leadership – operated as a “criminal organisation” during the Liberation War.
Without naming any specific human rights organization, the Jamaat spokesperson said, “What about the international human rights community are saying… they are independent, they are neutral… international human rights community has given statements, saying that human rights are grossly violated in Bangladesh.”
Incidentally, Jamaat-e-Islami recently claimed that Indian forces were “behind the killings of intellectuals” at the end of the Liberation War. A claim The Daily Star reported as “yet another blatant attempt to distort history.”
During a virtual discussion on the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day, Jamaat leaders claimed that Bengali intellectuals were killed so that the country “could not stand without the support of a neighbouring country.”
Read more: Jamaat, which was behind killings of intellectuals in 1971, BNP's main associate: Info Minister
On the TRT World program, Abu Bakar spoke about supporting Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in its call for restoring the caretaker government system and demand for resignation of the current government.
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, standing committee member of BNP, reiterated his party’s call for national election only under a caretaker government.
Also on the show, Barrister Shah Ali Farhad, former special assistant to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said, “The (recent) protests are actually purely political party rallies of BNP. No evidence to suggest that they have any mass involvement. While rising costs of living are impacting citizens’ lives, they are well informed as to the global reasons behind the rise. Their confidence is on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to deliver results, as she has delivered over the last one decade… The government respects the freedoms of assembly and speech of BNP and their allies as long as no public security risk is involved. The fact that BNP organised rallies in all divisional cities is evidence of the government’s cooperation in this regard.”
Declare Pakistan army action in 1971 ‘Genocide’: US congressmen introduce resolution
US congressman Steve Chabot, along with congressman of Indian origin Ro Khanna, introduced a resolution in US House of Representatives to declare Pakistan Army action against Bengalis and Hindus in 1971 during the Liberation War of Bangladesh as "genocide" and "crime against humanity".
The Bangladesh Genocide of 1971 must not be forgotten, Chabot said.
"With help from my Hindu constituents in Ohio’s First District, Rep Ro Khanna and I introduced legislation to recognize that the mass atrocities committed against Bengalis and Hindus, in particular, were indeed a genocide," he said.
Read 1971 genocide by Pakistani military most heinous crimes in human history
Chabot said they must not let the years erase the memory of the millions who were massacred.
"Recognizing the genocide strengthens the historical record, educates our fellow Americans, and lets would-be perpetrators know such crimes will not be tolerated or forgotten," he tweeted.
"Proud to join Rep Steve Chabot in introducing the first resolution commemorating the 1971 Bengali Genocide in which millions of ethnic Bengalis and Hindus were killed or displaced in one of the most forgotten genocides of our time," Khanna said.
Read 1971 Genocide in Bangladesh: Govt efforts on to have UN recognition
The 8-page resolution titled "Recognizing the Bangladesh Genocide of 1971" calls on the government of Pakistan, in the face of overwhelming evidence, to offer acknowledgment of its role in such genocide, offer formal apologies to the government and people of Bangladesh, and prosecute, in accordance with international law, any perpetrators who are still living.
It condemns the atrocities committed by the Armed Forces of Pakistan against the people of Bangladesh from March 1971 to December 1971; recognizes that such atrocities against Bengalis and Hindus constitute crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide; recalls the death and suffering of the countless victims of such atrocities and expresses its deep sympathy for the suffering.
The resolution recognizes that entire ethnic groups or religious communities are not responsible for the crimes committed by their members; calls on the President of the United States to recognize the atrocities committed against ethnic Bengalis and Hindus by the Armed Forces of Pakistan during 1971 as crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.
Read Mozammel batting for international recognition of genocide of 1971
The resolution to declare the Pakistan army's action in 1971 as 'Genocide' reaffirms the United States commitment to promoting peace, stability, and intercommunal harmony in the Indo-Pacific region, and the right of all people living in the region, regardless of national, racial, ethnic, or religious background, to enjoy the benefits of democratic institutions, the rule of law, the freedom of religion, and economic opportunity.
Genocide against Rohingya: Bangladesh welcomes ICJ's rejection of Myanmar claims
Bangladesh has welcomed the judgment delivered by the UN's top court on the preliminary objections of Myanmar concerning the application or admissibility of the Genocide Convention in the case between The Gambia and Myanmar.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment rejected all four preliminary objections of Myanmar on legal and procedural grounds, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said Friday.
"Bangladesh maintains that the question of international justice and accountability will be critical in finding a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis."
It would also prove to be a confidence-building measure for the sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya to their homes in Myanmar with their legitimate rights restored, MoFA said.
US envoy decries Pak atrocities in 1971 as horrible
The United States has said there was no doubt that there had been “terrible atrocities” and killings in 1971 but the question of determining genocide under the US law is a very difficult legal question.
“Undoubtedly what happened in 1971 was horrible. There were terrible atrocities. There were considerable amounts of deaths. The question of determining genocide under the US law is a very difficult legal question,” said US ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Tuesday.
Also read:Bangladesh won’t face Sri Lanka-like crisis: Ambassador Haas
He made the remarks at “DCAB Talk” when asked whether the US is in a position to recognize the genocide in Bangladesh in 1971.
The US government recently determined that the Myanmar military committed the crimes against humanity and genocide against humanity against ethnic Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State.
Late Edward M. Kennedy in his speech delivered on his first visit to independent Bangladesh in February 1972 said, “You know while some governments do not yet recognise you, the people of the world do recognise you and they recognise all you have accomplished here in the name of freedom from tyranny and oppression.….”
Sought updates on Bangladesh’s request for the deportation of Rashed Chowdhury, the self-confessed killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, ambassador Haas said basically it is very complicated legal proceeding in the US and it is still under review.
He said they are very much aware of Bangladesh’s interest to see a decision made but it currently remains under review.
Responding to another question, the US envoy said the United States “makes no excuses” when it comes to the matter of human rights and freedom of the press.
Also read:US stands by Bangladesh as a steadfast dev partner: Ambassador Haas
“I will go back to a comment that I made earlier that the United States has decided to put human rights, the issues of freedom of the press at the centre of our foreign policy and that we make no excuses about that."
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the DCAB Talk at Jatiya Press Club.
DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus moderated the event while its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin delivered the welcome remarks.
Perpetrators must account for vicious crimes against Rohingya: UN
UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Alice Wairimu Nderitu has said they must hold accountable those who perpetrated vicious crimes against the Rohingya."The Rohingya refugees that I engaged with expressed their wish to return home to Myanmar, but only when they can do so in a safe manner, with access to equal rights," she said highlighting the importance of holding accountable those who perpetrated crimes against the Rohingya.The UN under secretary general who recently visited Cox’s Bazar refugee camps said it is shocking that almost five years since the 2017 violence against the Rohingya in Myanmar, which resulted in over 7 lakh fleeing to Bangladesh, the risk of atrocity crimes, in particular genocide, facing this population in their home country remains unchanged.
Also read: Myanmar curriculum pilot reaches first 10,000 Rohingya children in Cox’s Bazar: UNICEFNderitu also met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam and other government officials during her visit.
Muslim Bazar massacre in 1971: Remains buried at Martyred Intellectuals’ Graveyard
The remains of the victims of the Muslim Bazar massacre by the Pakistani army during the Liberation War in 1971 were buried with state honours at the Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard at Mirpur in the city on Monday.
The burial was held under the supervision of the Bangladesh Army and in presence of Chief of Army Staff General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed, said an ISPR press release.
On July 27, 1999, while digging a well during the renovation of the Nuri Mosque in Mirpur's Section 12, many remains including skulls and bones, human hair braids, veils, and pieces of clothing were unearthed.
Also read: Bangladesh calls British parliament to move a motion recognising 1971 genocide
For confirmation of whether the recovered bones and skulls were evidence of the genocide of 1971, the War Crimes Facts Finding Committee examined the evidence of martyrs and carried out scientific research, added the release.
The research included examining tissue samples of blood relatives of the martyrs.
Later, some of the remains were donated to the Liberation War Museum and some to the Army Museum for preservation.
Also read: Discussion in UN: Recognition of 1971 genocide sought
Senior officers of the army, other members of the army and local dignitaries were also present at that time.
Bangladesh calls British parliament to move a motion recognising 1971 genocide
Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem has urged the British parliamentarians to take a fresh motion for international recognition of 1971 genocide committed on Bangladeshi soil by the invading Pakistan army 51 years ago in 1971.
She pledged to work with British parliamentarians and academicians towards increasing publications on Bengali genocide in the British and the international genocide journals.
Bangladesh High Commission in London in collaboration with University College London (UCL) hosted a high-profile commemorative event on the 51st anniversary of Bangladesh Genocide Day, urging the UK parliament to adopt a motion recognising the genocide .
“In April 1971, Sir Peter Shore, MP, who was chair of the UK’s Foreign Affairs Committee, moved a motion in the UK parliament condemning atrocities committed in erstwhile East Pakistan, followed by another motion, supported by over 233 cross-party members, calling for the end of genocide in East Bengal and the recognition of Bangladesh,” said the Bangladesh High Commissioner.
Expressing her gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for declaring 25 March as Bangladesh Genocide Day, the High Commissioner said: "It is now the responsibility of our generation to create global awareness about international recognition of the 1971 Bengali genocide.”
Rami Ranger, chairman of Conservative Friends of India and a member of the UK's House of Lords, spoke at the event and expressed his support for the establishment of a Bengali genocide memorial in the UK as well as its international recognition.
READ: Bangladesh calls for addressing root causes of climate-induced displacement
High Commissioner for India to the UK Gaitri Issar Kumar referred 25 March 1971 genocide as the darkest chapter of Bangladesh’s independence struggle and a massive crackdown against Bengali nationalists.
She said: “Bangabandhu liberated the people of Bangladesh from the systematic oppression and led them to realise his dream of Sonar Bangla. Today, the people of Bangladesh, under the leadership of Bangabandhu's illustrious daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, have made his dream a reality."
Chair of the Department of Liberal Studies at Texas A&M University Joann Digeorge-Lutz noted at the event that there were very few publications on the genocide in Bangladesh, but more and more of these should be published in the international genocide journals.
Director of Research Initiatives, Bangladesh Professor Dr. Meghna Guhathakurta, whose father Jyotirmoy Guhathakurta, a Dhaka University teacher, was killed by the occupation forces in March 1971, described the brutality of Pakistani forces, calling for international recognition of the genocide.
Eminent organiser of Bangladesh’s Liberation War Movements in the UK Sultan Mahmud Sharif, representative of Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in London Jasmina Sarajlić and UCL research fellow Bayes Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.
A documentary on the genocide was screened. Diplomats, academics, and members of the British-Bangladeshi diaspora participated in the event, paying their respects to the Father of the Nation and the martyrs who were killed in the March 25 genocide and during the nine-month glorious liberation war.
Operation Searchlight March 25, 1971: What actually happened on that day?
On March 25, 1971, the Pakistani military regime led by General Yahya Khan launched a military crackdown on the civilians of Bangladesh (then East Pakistan). The campaign, codenamed Operation Searchlight, resulted in the massacre of hundreds of thousands of Bengali civilians and the displacement of millions more. The genocide is considered to be one of the worst in modern history. Let's get to know in detail.
The Background
Although the Awami League won an absolute majority of 160 seats in the 1970 general election, West Pakistani leaders, including Yahya Khan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, refused to hand over the power. In protest of this, the movement began to take place in East Pakistan. On March 3, 1971, Yahya called for a session at the National Assembly in Dhaka. But on March 1, he conveyed over radio message and adjourned the session. As a result, people all over East Pakistan erupted in protest, and many were injured in clashes with Pakistani forces on the 2nd and 3rd.
Meanwhile, on the orders of Ayub Khan, large numbers of troops started coming to East Pakistan from West Pakistan from the first week of March. Later, he announced the commencement of the session of the National Assembly on March 25 to calm the situation. However, the purpose of calling his session was to prevent Bangabandhu's pre-scheduled speech on March 7.
Read What Was Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Childhood Like?
Later on March 7, 1971, Sheikh Mujib delivered his historic speech, and people all over the country took this as a call for independence. Meanwhile, President Yahya Khan arrived in Dhaka on March 15, and he met with Bangabandhu on March 17. The second meeting was held the next day.
Then on March 19, the first armed resistance against the Pakistanis took place at Joydebpur in Gazipur. Due to this, the plan of disarming the Bengali army of Joydebpur 2nd East Bengal Regiment failed.
On March 20, President Yahya Khan held an emergency meeting at the Dhaka Cantonment with the military adviser General Hamid Khan, the military administrator of East Pakistan Tikka Khan, General Peerzada, General Omar, and other senior military officials. There, the 'Operation Searchlight' was approved for March 25.
Read Who was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman? A Short Biography of Bangabandhu, Father of the Nation
On March 22, Yahya Khan adjourned the session of the National Assembly to be held in Dhaka on March 25. Meanwhile, from 23 to March 24, the Pakistani army carried out massacres in different parts of Bengal. Three hundred and fifty people were killed at Syedpur, Rangpur, and Mirpur in Nilphamari. Many people were injured.
Pakistani Forces Planed Secretly
Troops were being brought to Dhaka from West Pakistan almost every day since the second week of March. It increased even more before March 25. On March 17, Major General Khadim Hussain Raja, GOC of the 14th Division, took charge of the operation. The next day, General Raja and Major General Rao Farman Ali planned the operation.
Declaration of Independence on March 25
Leaders of Chhatra Sangram Parishad Sirajul Alam Khan, Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed, and many others were pressuring Bangabandhu to declare independence from March 23. But Bangabandhu was waiting for the right time.
Read Top Sculptures in Dhaka City
On March 24, Bangabandhu made 2-3 drafts of the Declaration of Independence and finalized it with Sirajul Alam Khan and Tajuddin's consultation. On March 24 Rao Farman Ali announced to arrest Bangabandhu alive on the 25th.
On March 25, at around 10:30 PM, the Pakistani aggressors surrounded Bangabandhu's house and started heavy firing. Understanding the situation, Bangabandhu declared independence using wireless with the help of police in the early hours of March 26. The announcement was, "The enemy has struck us. Hit them back. Victory is ours. Insha Allah. Joy Bangla” Mujibur Rahman.
Operation Searchlight
Tikka Khan, under the direction of Yahya and Bhutto, launched 'Operation Searchlight' in the name of protecting the integrity of Pakistan. The Pakistani administration started disarming the Bengali army and police from the beginning of March so that they do not fall victim to any counter-attack. Many Bengali soldiers were sent on leave and transferred to Pakistan.
Read Bangabandhu Memorial Museum: Witness to History and Tragedy
A curfew was imposed on the evening of March 25, and preparations were made to carry out brutal violence. At 11:30 PM., Pakistani troops came out of the cantonment and launched Operation Searchlight, massacring Bengalis marching on Farmgate.
The halls of Dhaka University were on the first hit list of the attack. The 17th Punjab, the 22nd Baloch, the 32nd Punjab Regiment, and some allied battalions were in charge of the Dhaka University area. As soon as the curfew was imposed, they entered Dhaka University with tanks, automatic rifles, rocket launchers, heavy mortars, light machine guns and started massacres in the halls. Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Haq Hall, Jagannath Hall, and Salimullah Muslim Hall were the main targets of the attack.
The Pakistani army then attacked the Rajarbagh police line, killing countless policemen. From there, the first resistance against the Pakistani attack began. But the Rajarbagh police line could not survive for long in the face of constant attacks by Pakistanis with modern weapons.
Read Top Historical Landmarks in Dhaka Reminding Liberation War of 1971
The killings took place at various places, including Rajarbagh Police Line, Peelkhana EPR Headquarters, Dhaka University, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh University of Engineering, Nilkhet, and many other places. When everyone was asleep, the Pakistanis launched a surprise attack. Suddenly, the air in Dhaka seemed to roar with rifles, machine guns, and mortar fire.
The Pakistani aggressors carried out violence all over the city of Dhaka. In just a few hours, the whole of Dhaka was transformed into a place of death. They took control of many important places in Dhaka city and blew up important installations. It resulted in around fifty thousand deaths of innocent people in Dhaka alone. However, according to the Sydney Morning Herald of Australia, on the night of March 25 alone, about 100,000 people were killed in Bangladesh.
Final Words
The Pakistanis wanted to occupy and exploit Bangladesh by carrying out barbaric genocide and arresting political leaders. But that ruthless attack made the Bengalis angrier to snatch their freedom.
Read Greatest Movies based on 1971, the Liberation War of Bangladesh